Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 01/14/2021

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Economic Development Authority (EDA) 4. 5. Meeting Date: 01/14/2021 By: Mark Riverblood, Engineering/Public Works Title: Center Street Area Framework and Policy Plan Purpose/Background: The primary purpose of this case is to acknowledge and provide comment on this planning document, which will be an update to The COR Design Guidelines and Framework (only for the Downtown District), which is the second attachment. The first attachment, the Draft Center Street Area Framework and Policy Plan details streetscapes, future stormwater elements (water reuse), sidewalks, aspects of Municipal Plaza, the Regional Trail and other pedestrian elements/walkability. The plan also specifies facade improvements to Pumphouse #3. The Park & Recreation Commission acknowledged this plan at their November regular meeting. It is anticipated the planning document will go to each of the boards and commissions for comment, and then to City Council, thereafter for Adoption. As indicated, the purpose of this case is to obtain feedback on Center Street Area Framework and Policy Plan, but also to advance the planning activity for several interrelated projects around Center Street —some of which having timelines that require the work to commence soon. A summary of these projects (and a brief description of the interrelatedness) is as follows: Center Street sidewalk(s) in front of the Sapphire Apartments The City has the obligation to construct the Center Street public sidewalk/streetscape improvements for a city -lead construction project. The developer has the Sapphire apartment building substantially complete and ready for these improvements. The specific design work for matching the public realm (sidewalk and streetscape) to the adjoining and parallel private sidewalk and building is underway, and should be constructed in the Spring of 2021. Center Street Streetscape/Trail (west side) near the interface of the Affinity at Ramsey Senior Apartments and Municipal Plaza: East of the Affinity building is a narrow area of park, south of a new segment of Ramsey Parkway. This is also the Central Anoka County Regional Trail which consists of a temporary section of bituminous, with the plan to convert it to concrete, (like the finished 10' foot concrete trail immediately to the south, parallel to Center Street). The 2021 Parks Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) includes a proposed project page for this, with some of the preliminary conceptual work done. Municipal Plaza at the interface with Affinity at Ramsey Senior Apartments: This area is to grade, with turf established in the Fall of 2020, but with no irrigation or other improvements. The preliminary concept plans for the park, show a plaza -like extension of the streetscape/trail blending into the park for a usable, programmable space. The final design (to include public furniture, hearth, landscape, for the narrow north portion of the park) should be considered for completion in 2021 to match the Affinity project's edge. This project would allow for the irrigation system to be designed for larger area of this park area as well. Additionally, the city has the obligation to 'take over' the irrigation for the median swale within the Ramsey Parkway, (this city property is